AfricaAfricaTue, 01 Aug 2017 09:00:08 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa
Letshego chief aims to lead race for African financial inclusionBotswana-based Letshego is using years of experience to fulfil its aim of reaching sub-Saharan Africas unbanked population, as group managing director Chris Low tells James King.]]>James King Mon, 17 Jul 2017 10:02:20 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Botswana/Letshego-chief-aims-to-lead-race-for-African-financial-inclusion
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/207650Angola struggles to cut oil tiesAfter contracting in 2016, the Angolan economy is expected to make a slight recovery in line with the improvement in oil prices. However, the government has been slow to deliver the diversification that could improve the country’s fortunes further. James King reports.]]>James King Mon, 19 Jun 2017 10:56:45 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Angola/Angola-struggles-to-cut-oil-ties
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/206395Angola's banks look to rise to the challengesDiminishing oil receipts, a threat of consolidation, a looming Basel II compliance deadline, a loss of US dollar correspondent banking relationships, a shortage of foreign capital... The challenges facing Angola's banks are many, which makes the strong performances of some in the sector all the more impressive, writes James King.]]>James King Mon, 19 Jun 2017 10:49:47 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Angola/Angola-s-banks-look-to-rise-to-the-challenges
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/206398Citi EMEA chief positions for seamless BrexitHaving established a Dublin headquarters, Citi's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations are well prepared for Brexit. And a strategic overhaul four years ago tightened up its risk management, leaving it leaner and safer, as the US bank's EMEA head, Jim Cowles, tells Stefanie Linhardt.]]>Stefanie Linhardt Tue, 06 Jun 2017 16:03:30 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Citi-EMEA-chief-positions-for-seamless-Brexit
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/206464Tripartite Free Trade Area plods along slowly in AfricaAfrica’s Tripartite Free Trade Area would reduce regional tariffs and create a pan-African single market, to aid development and cash in on a growing middle class in the continent. But with member countries often belonging to multiple economic areas, progress is both complex and slow, as Kit Gillet reports.]]>Kit Gillet Fri, 12 May 2017 16:47:47 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Tripartite-Free-Trade-Area-plods-along-slowly-in-Africa
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/205513Mozambique looks to gas reserves in aid recovery from 2016 blipMozambique is slowly advancing towards financial stability following a period of scandal and currency depreciation. Now it must find the money, and the partners, to help it exploit its abundant gas reserves, writes Peter Wise.]]>Peter WiseFri, 12 May 2017 12:02:01 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mozambique/Mozambique-looks-to-gas-reserves-in-aid-recovery-from-2016-blip
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/205527Shaken but not stirred: Mozambique's banks look forward with optimismThe 'tuna bond' scandal, donor suspensions, a sharp rise in inflation rates and slower economic growth have made for a difficult operating environment for Mozambique's banks in the past couple of years. However, Peter Wise discovers a sector where optimism very much prevails. ]]>Peter Wise Fri, 12 May 2017 11:51:41 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mozambique/Shaken-but-not-stirred-Mozambique-s-banks-look-forward-with-optimism
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/205531Benin designs a digital futureIn December 2016, Benin announced its economic transformation plan, including 45 flagship projects addressing the major components of the west African country's economy. Six of the projects are specifically focused on constructing a digital economy. Serge Adjovi, director of Benin’s Digital Economy Agency, speaks to Joy Macknight about the laying the foundations for progress.]]>Joy Macknight Wed, 03 May 2017 14:03:44 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Benin/Benin-designs-a-digital-future
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/205538Mauritius sets out stall to become go-to southern IFCDespite its major business partner India renegotiating a tax agreement, and mutterings of tax haven status, Mauritius has thrived as a regional financial centre. Now it is positioning itself as the southern hemisphere’s IFC of preference. James King reports.]]>James King Fri, 21 Apr 2017 16:48:47 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mauritius/Mauritius-sets-out-stall-to-become-go-to-southern-IFC
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/204547Stock Exchange of Mauritius CEO looks to lead the way in AfricaThe Stock Exchange of Mauritius is aiming to attract outside interest by launching a new index that lists international companies, and will soon host the first African Development Bank exchange-traded fund, CEO Sunil Benimadhu tells James King.]]>James King Thu, 20 Apr 2017 16:46:40 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mauritius/Stock-Exchange-of-Mauritius-CEO-looks-to-lead-the-way-in-Africa
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/204559Mauritian banks think beyond home comfortsCareful cost management and diversification have yielded solid profits for Mauritius’s banks. And with the government now focusing on SMEs, many banks are now developing their services for this sector while also expanding their footprint abroad. James King reports.]]>James King Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:26:04 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mauritius/Mauritian-banks-think-beyond-home-comforts
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/204562Bank of Mauritius governor takes long-term view on reformsFor the past two years, Mauritius’s central bank has fostered measures to fortify the country's banking sector, which accounts for 12% of its GDP. While reforms are paying off, challenges such as offshore business risk persist and need to be managed, as central bank governor Rameswurlall Basant Roi tells James King.]]>James King Tue, 18 Apr 2017 10:59:22 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Mauritius/Bank-of-Mauritius-governor-takes-long-term-view-on-reforms
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/204577Citi shows appetite for Egypt remains healthyPolitical unrest, high public debt and a drop in tourism have hit Egypt’s fortunes in recent years. But as a successful $4bn debt-raising deal has shown, investor appetite is recovering. Edward Russell-Walling spoke to the team from joint lead manager Citi.]]>Edward Russell-WallingMon, 13 Mar 2017 11:37:01 +0000http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Egypt/Citi-shows-appetite-for-Egypt-remains-healthy
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/203494Economic headwinds look set to revive African M&AAfrican M&A was down in 2016 from the previous year as foreign investors stayed away, with only Egypt enjoying notable activity. However, economic headwinds are likely to drive consolidation, especially among smaller regional banks, in 2017. James King reports.]]>James King Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:25:03 +0000http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Economic-headwinds-look-set-to-revive-African-M-A
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/202321Angolan SWF chairman looks to facilitate move away from oilJosė Filomeno dos Santos, chairman of Angola’s sovereign wealth fund, outlines how it is reducing the country’s dependence on oil in favour of infrastructure, agriculture and timber. James King reports.]]>James King Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:48:50 +0000http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Angola/Angolan-SWF-chairman-looks-to-facilitate-move-away-from-oil
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/201303Top 100 African Banks: smaller lenders make biggest gainsOnly one-quarter of the top 20 African banks showed an increase in Tier 1 capital in the The Banker's rankings, as the continent suffered a combination of currency volatility, low commodity prices and political instability. James King reports.]]>James King Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:32:28 +0000http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Top-100-African-Banks-smaller-lenders-make-biggest-gains
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/200045Dr Okechukwu Enelamah: How the MITI Plan can revitalise NigeriaNigeria’s strategy for regenerating its flagging economy centres on partnering with the private sector to drive sectors such as manufacturing, textiles and agriculture. ]]>James King Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:31:12 +0000http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Nigeria/Dr-Okechukwu-Enelamah-How-the-MITI-Plan-can-revitalise-Nigeria
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/199905Better integration will move mobile money up the value chainMobile money accounts are growing in numbers but a large proportion of them remain dormant. More must be done to integrate the e-wallet model with conventional payment systems.]]>The Banker EditorialTue, 20 Sep 2016 14:52:06 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Better-integration-will-move-mobile-money-up-the-value-chain
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/196603Nigeria's big banks defy country's economic difficultiesAs falling oil prices and rebel activity continue to weaken Nigeria’s economy, the strength of its systemically important larger banks is playing a vital role in keeping the country from a deeper recession, reports James King.]]>James King Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:22:49 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Nigeria/Nigeria-s-big-banks-defy-country-s-economic-difficulties
http://www.thebanker.com/content/view/full/196895Nigeria's central bank governor: unorthodox and optimisticNigeria's central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, tells James King that his economic policies, which some have blamed for a decline in manufacturing in the country, encourage foreign exchange flows and improve transparency, and thus investor confidence.]]>James King Thu, 15 Sep 2016 16:08:14 +0100http://www.thebanker.com/World/Africa/Nigeria/Nigeria-s-central-bank-governor-unorthodox-and-optimistic
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